Volvo is heralding the beginning of the end for the internal combustion engine.

The Chinese-owned automaker based in Sweden said it all its new cars will have some form of electric motor inside them by 2019.

CGTN’s Daniel Ryntjes reports.

Volvo is the first traditional automaker to abandon the manufacturing of cars and sports utility vehicles powered solely by the internal combustion engine.

“We are reacting to customer demand, asking for electrified cars and of course it is also the way for us to cut down when it comes to C02 levels and reducing our carbon footprint. That’s really what we are communicating today,” Hakan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars said.

From 2019, Volvo will produce two forms of hybrid vehicles which combine battery technology and a traditional combustion engine while also making vehicles solely powered by batteries.

Volvo will also be leveraging the expertise developed by its Chinese parent company Geely which makes vehicle batteries. This will help it to meet higher regulatory standards ahead, in China and Europe.

Though President Donald Trump said he will unwind similar targets, several U.S. states led by California have committed to improving fuel standards. Industry experts said that will ensure that momentum also continues to build in the world’s largest vehicle market.

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